Embarking on the pathway to success

Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007

Embarking on the pathway to success

Parissa Youssefi |

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I was always told that I could be anything I wanted when I grew up. As a young child, I remember my dream of becoming a doctor with innocent disregard for the time, resources and years of hard work it would take to get there. This dream would require commitment, focus and a passion for learning like nothing I ever could have imagined.

After graduating with honors from high school, one might have expected my pathway to college to be a simple one. My reality though, was far from it. While I aspired to attend a prestigious four-year university, I had a higher calling — that of helping care for my autistic brother Joey, now age 11, while my mother worked two jobs to bring home the sole income for our family. This challenging yet powerful life experience inspired me to go after my dream of becoming a doctor.

Due to financial, time and family constraints, I feared that my vision of obtaining a college degree would never be realized. Fortunately, a pivotal event occurred that would change my life forever. I was selected for the Clifford and Camille Kendall scholarship, which covered full tuition and fees for my first two years at Montgomery College as well as my final two years at the Universities at Shady Grove. I would be only the second person through generations of my family to attend college.

When I graduated from Watkins Mill High School, I had the credentials for admission to a prestigious four-year university. However, I chose to be a part of the Biomedical Scholars program at MC, which is recognized as one of the best community colleges in the country. Now, I am a biological sciences major completing the final two years of my degree from the University of Maryland, College Park while attending classes at the Universities at Shady Grove. I’ve earned a cumulative 4.0 GPA and will be a proud graduate in May 2008.

Looking back, the MC-USG pathway turned out to be the best decision I could have made. Not only is the location favorable, as it allows me to stay home with my family, but also the option is more affordable and will allow me to use the money saved to attend medical school.

In addition, USG offers me small class sizes, state-of-the-art ‘‘green” facilities, and individual attention from top-notch faculty who take a personal interest in my success. The unique learning community that USG offers is one in which students are successful and thriving. This is largely due to their emphasis on a well-rounded student experience enhanced by student life, a spirit of leadership and service and endless opportunities for internships. This is evidenced by USG’s 93 percent retention rate, something of special significance in higher education.

I encourage everyone seeking a college degree to consider my pathway as one of quality, affordability and endless opportunity. As I reflect upon my educational experience, I realize that I could not have pursued my dream without USG, the Kendalls and so many others who have helped me along the way. My experience has inspired me to give back to others who, like me, want to stay, study and succeed in Montgomery County.

Parissa Youssefi is a full-time senior enrolled with University of Maryland, College Park’s Biological Sciences program at USG. Parissa is a Kendall Scholar and is actively involved with a variety of student activities including serving as a student ambassador, president of the Biological Sciences Club, member of the Student Council and member of the Student Event Board. She works as an intern with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and has been recognized in both the Washington Post and Gazette newspapers for her extensive volunteer work with physically and mentally disabled children.

About This Series

This four-part series examines the growth and development of the Universities at Shady Grove and its increasingly important contribution in meeting the higher education and workforce needs of Montgomery County.

Oct. 10: Access and affordability.

Oct. 17: Innovative model.

Today: Pathway to success.

Oct. 31: Enriching our economic future.